IntroductionIn advance of its debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, BMW has released detailed information about the new 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe. The 4 Series Gran Coupe is based on the BMW 4 Series, which itself is derived from the BMW 3 Series. In Gran Coupe format, the car provides 4+1 seating in a fastback design that is equipped with a rear tailgate. When it goes on sale in the summer of 2014, the 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will be available in 428i, 428i xDrive, and 435i model series. Additional variants could be announced or added in the future.

Exterior FeaturesBMW says the 2014 4 Series Gran Coupe shares its length, width, wheelbase, and track with the 4 Series Coupe, but features a longer and taller roofline for greater rear-seat room. Occupants enter through frameless doors, and a standard power tailgate grants access to the cargo area. Boasting a 0.27 coefficient of drag, the 4 Series Gran Coupe features an Air Curtains system designed to smooth air flow around the front of the car, and the vents aft of the wheel wells are functional "air breathers" that divert air from the wheel wells for improved aerodynamics, BMW says.

Interior FeaturesEmploying what BMW describes as a "layering" design principle to separate the driver's operation zone from the passenger zones, the 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe model's interior is equipped with black panel instrumentation, a free-standing iDrive monitor, and iDrive controls equipped with handwriting-recognition technology.

BMW says the 4 Series Gran Coupe offers 4+1 seating, but this car is best suited to 4 passengers. A 40/20/40 split rear seat folds to convert the 17 cu.-ft.* trunk into 49.5 cu. ft.* of cargo space, and stainless steel loading strips help to protect the trunk against damage.

*Based on European Union measurement standards

Optional FeaturesPeople who buy a 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe can stick with the standard level of specification or can upgrade the car to Sport, Luxury, or M Sport design lines.

The M Sport Line is for buyers who prefer a better handling BMW, adding M Sport suspension tuning with larger anti-roll bars, and sport-bolstered seats wrapped in Sensatec material or premium leather. Aerodynamic styling modifications and M Sport 18- or 19-inch wheel designs set the M Sport model apart, along with M-logo door sill trim and an M logo steering wheel. This version of the 4 Series Gran Coupe is offered in six colors, including exclusive Carbon Black and Estoril Blue hues.

Additional options include full LED headlights with High Beam Assistant, a variable sports steering system, adaptive suspension, and an M Sport braking system. A navigation system with 3-D map displays and real-time traffic information is also optional, along with a head-up display and several safety systems discussed below. When equipped with the Premium package, the power tailgate includes gesture-control technology, opening when the holder of the Comfort Access fob waves a foot under the car's rear bumper.

Under the HoodThe 2015 BMW 428i Gran Coupe is equipped with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 240 horsepower between 5,000 rpm and 6,500 rpm, and 255 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,300 rpm and 5,000 rpm. According to BMW, it accelerates to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and is estimated to return 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2015 BMW 435i Gran Coupe has a turbocharged, 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine making 300 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,000 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,300 rpm and 5,000 rpm. By BMW's stopwatch, this model zooms to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and the automaker says it will get 25 mpg in combined driving.

In the United States, an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard. The car's Driving Dynamics Control system offers Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ settings that adjust throttle response, transmission response, steering feel, and the optional adaptive suspension's damping characteristics. Both engines include automatic start/stop technology, the Eco Pro mode includes a highway coasting mode to maximize fuel economy, and the 4 Series Gran Coupe uses Brake Energy Regeneration to capture kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost in order to power the car's electrical components.

All versions of the 4 Series Gran Coupe are rear-wheel drive. Initially, BMW will offer its xDrive all-wheel-drive system for the 428i. Later in the model year, it will be available for the 435i.

SafetyIn addition to a reversing camera and Park Distance Control parking sensors, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is available with a Surround View camera with Side View technology that helps the driver to see around blind corners. Additional safety-related upgrades include an Active Driving Assistant system with Active Lane Departure Warning, an Active Blind Spot Detection system, and an Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go system.

TechnologyIn addition to available ConnectedDrive Services with BMW Apps for Stitcher, Audible, Amazon Cloud Player, Twitter, and Facebook, the new 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe can be equipped with a navigation system equipped with full speech-recognition that can be used to compose text messages. An optional BMW Parking Assistant system can steer the 4 Series Gran Coupe into a parallel parking space while the driver operates the brake, accelerator, and transmission.